Gay Minneapolis

Gay Minneapolis-St Paul

Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19:

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a local public health emergency to respond to the COVID-19 threat. On March 17th, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops were required to close, or else provide delivery, takeout, and drive-through orders only. Governor Tim Walz expanded the bar, nightclub and restaurant shutdown to all of Minnesota. The order also closes theaters, performance venues, museums, gyms, bowling alleys, arcades, and country clubs. See City Pages for a list of cancelled events.

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Minneapolis combines the Dakota word for water (mni) with the Greek word for city (polis) — a fitting name for a city with twenty of Minnesota's 12,034 lakes and straddling two banks of the Mississippi River. Hydropower operated lumber industry sawmills, and regional farmers shipped their grain by rail to the city's thirty-four flour mills. General Mills and Pillsbury, two of the largest, helped make this into the primary business center between Chicago and Seattle, home to many Fortune 500 companies, including big banks and retail chains such as Target and Macy's.

Peoples of many countries settled here, especially Northern Europeans: those of German descent number over 20%, Scandinavian-Americans 21%, and English and Irish another 11%. Polish, French and Italians, along with African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Native-Americans and others contribute to this multicultural mix. As the state’s largest city, Minneapolis combines the buzz of urban life with the neighborliness of smaller towns, and residents enjoy cultural and recreational opportunities in beautiful natural surroundings.

Both Minneapolis and nearby St Paul attract young people from the rural areas stretching hundreds of miles in all directions, making the Twin Cities the buckle of the northern farm belt. As with much of the Midwest, you will feel very welcome.

The Twin Cities are home to much of the cultural life of the region, second only to New York City in terms of live theater per capita, with many stages for theater and dance performances including the Cowles Center and Ordway Center; an opera company, and orchestra, plus museums, film festivals and art-house cinema screenings. See our events and activities listings for details.

Getting here

The Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport is about 16 miles from downtown Minneapolis and 12 miles from downtown St Paul. The Light Rail service of Metro Transit will whisk you between terminals (no charge) or to downtown Minneapolis in about 25 minutes for $2-2.50 (latter rush hour price). Remember to buy the ticket at the station machine before boarding. Taxis can also get you to either of the Twin Cities.

Getting around

A car is the most convenient way to get around. Buses traverse most of the city, and Light Rail Transit is a quick way to get from downtown Minneapolis to the top local tourist magnet, the Mall of America, on the Blue Line, or to St Paul on the Green Line. See Metro Transit

Neighborhoods

Neither Minneapolis nor St Paul has a “gay neighborhood” per se, though both have communities centered around their respective downtowns.

In downtown Minneapolis, three Hennepin Avenue bars, Gay 90s, the Brass Rail, and the Saloon are easily walkable between 4th and 11th Streets. Bar 19 is to the south on 15th, near the Convention Center. Jetset is a 15-20 minute hike, northwest of Hennepin. The Minneapolis Eagle/Bolt complex is 6 blocks east of Hennepin down Washington Avenue. Hennepin is also the location of several theaters. See our map.

Local Media & resources

Lavender Magazine has gay news, articles, and reviews. They also sponsor some excellent pride events all summer.

KFAI (90.3FM), Fresh Fruit, Thursdays 7-8pm, is the longest running Queer radio show in the country. They cover a lot of ground with This Way Out,Gays Without Borders and Queer Music Heritage, among their many gay programs. Listen online too.

City Pages is the local weekly for general listings, news and reviews.

Twin Cities Daily Planet brings together local people, including those of the gay community, to create a diverse online media alternative.

Quatrefoil Library at 1220 East Lake St, Minneapolis, is one of the oldest gay lending libraries in the country. They welcome drop-ins for information on the local gay community, and sponsor author events, a Prime Timer book club, and LGBTQ Youth drop-ins.